dvx versus josh

Duchess Alice

dvx

10

Count Robert

josh

14

The Jean Valjean Problem

A peasant caught stealing bread pleads for mercy while a merchant demands punishment. Duchess Alice defends compassion; Count Robert upholds order.

  1. The King Let us begin. Duchess Alice, what say you?

  2. Duchess Alice dear king, we must show mercy because mercy is the backbone of any healthy kingdom. without mercy, we are but beasts!

  3. The King Mercy as backbone, you say. Yet a backbone bends or breaks under weight it cannot bear. Tell me, Duchess — when mercy invites a second theft, and a third, what then holds the kingdom upright?

  4. Count Robert There was an argument on the tip of my tongue a moment ago, I swear it.

  5. The King Count Robert, I trust the argument on your tongue is not the same loaf the peasant swallowed. Speak plainly — the merchant's silver buys my attention, but not my patience. What is the case for justice?